The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1887-01-08
STATE LEGISLATURES.

STATE LEGISLATURES.
Scenes In the Republican Caucus That Nom
mated stockbridSe for Senator.
LANSING, Mich. Jan. On the roll-call at
the Republican senatorial caucus, two Republic
ans were absent-Senator Campbell aud Repre-
sentative Grinnell, of Detroit Senator Giddngs
put Francis B. Stockbridge in nomination, and
dozen members of the caucus Endorsed him.
Senator Babcock, of San;lao county, nominated
Omar d. Conger. and spoke feelingly OF the
Senator's services in Congress and his eighteen
years of public life. Senator Conger, he said.
has filed the position he now occupies with
marked ability, and it is the duty of the Repub
licans of Michigan to remember his career and
re-elect MIN. He was q judge in Michigan,
Speaker o. the House in Michigan, Congressman
for six consecutive terms. and for six years has
been Senator. He has been in public life for
twenty six ears, and the people Of Michigan owe
him debt of gratitued thatcan never be repaid,
except by the impulses that now prompt us. Let
u.s." continued Mr.. Babcock, "honor Senator
Conger with a reelection
After good deal more speech making, at
which the large crowd became impatient, the
caucus proceeded to ballot. There four
candidates Notwithstanding Conger, Lacey
and Fitzgerald, and SO votes were cast The
first ballot resulted: Stockbridge 81; Conger
%; Lacey, 10; Fitzgerald, {. The remainder
were scattering votes; jay Hubbell GOT 4, Gov
ernor FAirchld 2, and the rest were placed
around at the rate OF one each. The result WAS
a disappointment all around. Stockbridge did
not get all he expected; Conger 20. moro than
even his friends yesterday were willing to con-
cede him; Lacey's friends ware surprised at his
meagre vote.
The second ballot resulted Stockb.idgs, 81
Conger, 81; Lacey, a. Fitzgerald. s; Hubbel 4;
A. u ..J - ct ~
cheered wildly; he had gained 3. On the other
hand Conger had lost 2 and Lacey gained 4.
From the second to the ninth ballot there was
very little change.
the lines were breaking. One Of Lacey's mon
got up and proclaimed himself for Stockbridge.
There was great excitement and confusion and
everybody was on his feet. In the midst of it
all, the tenth ballot was ordered. Cuiet was
maintained with difficulty, and the ballots were
counted amidst suppressed excitement When
the announcement was made that Stockbridge
had 46 votes, nobody waited to hear. moro. Jay
Hubbell instantly jumped to his feet and moved
that the nomination be made unanimous by the
caucus One of Congers friends warmly second
ed the nomination, and the struggle was over.
Francis B. Stockhridge was born in Bath,
| Me-. in 1926. In lS47 he came to Chicago and
was employed as clerk at lumber dock. He
| saved some money, joined some lumbermen at
| Saugatuck, Mich. started a mill or two. and in
/
| business twice, but hobbed along until 1868.
| In 1869 he went to the michigan House of Rep
| resentRtiveS member, and in 1871 was
| elected State Senator. Since then Mr.. Stock
| bridge has been deeply interested In politics.
| Right after the Chicago fire he began to make
| money. He does not say exactly how, but ID is
| understood that the rebuilding Of the great city
! gave him his chance. In 1873 he went to Kala-
| mazoo to live. His mills at Saugatuck were run
| ming night and day, his firm in Chicago wero
| finding market hourly, and he was looking
/, for new fields OF pine, etc. At this period Mr.
/ Stockbridge hunted up all his old debts and
| paid them, and not one dollar of either
| of his bankruptcies was allowed to stand against
I him. He is now reputed to be worth $3.50, 900.
| He and Mr.. Mcmillan, of Detroit are the life and
| soul of the Republican party IN Michigan, and
| Mr. Stockbridge is at the head of the party in
| the western part of tie State. Colonel Stock
bridge is well known in Chicago. His family
are now spending the winter there. and he has
| cago men. Colonel Stockbridge is q large, ine-
| looking man, full Of beaming good nature, and
| famed for his broad views and whole -souled lib.
| eraity One secret of his popularity in Michl-
gan is that he has helped hundreds of men ia
| business and aided scores in other ways-some,
| perhaps, who were undeserving. THERE'S say
ing in Michigan that Stockbridre is every
body's note and everybodys bond He began
his canvass for the senatorship last summer, and
was ahead of everybody in the field. His only
real opponent has been Conger.